Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Third Norfleet brother sentenced Monday

Attorney Dan Guinn addresses the court on behalf of his client, Jason Norfleet, Monday in Coshocton County Common Pleas Court. Norfleet received four years in prison in connection with a home invasion perpetrated with his two brothers.(Photo: Leonard Hayhurst/Tribune)Buy Photo

COSHOCTON - Judge Robert Batchelor knew Jason Norfleet would be hard-pressed to see any silver linings Monday in Coshocton County Common Pleas Court, but he assured the Coshocton man they were there.

The 36-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison on four counts of kidnapping and one count of aggravated burglary related to a Feb. 3 home invasion that involved his two brothers. He faced the possibility of 55 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Norfleet’s attorney, Dan Guinn, asked Batchelor to consider community control sanctions in lieu of prison or at least delaying Norfleet’s reporting for prison to after the first of the year so that he could save some money for his family. Guinn stated Norfleet was working a steady job to not only support his own family but the children of his brother Joshua Norfleet, who already was serving prison time for the home invasion.

Coshocton County Prosecutor Jason Given said the four-year sentence was made upon consultation with the victims and what Norfleet’s participation was in the incident according to them. He said they were in agreement with the suggested sentence. The four-year sentence and reporting to serve the time immediately was fair, Given said.

“It was minimal, but he did participate,” Given said of Norfleet’s role in the crime. “He did not separate himself from the event.”

According to court records, Jason Norfleet and his brothers Willie Norfleet, 38, and Joshua Norfleet, 34, both of Warsaw, forced entry into a Vine Street duplex and held four women against their will. The brothers reportedly were looking for a man who was not there at the time.

Witnesses testified Joshua fired a single shot next to the head of a woman who was lying on an air mattress in the living room. However, a gun was never found by authorities. Nobody was injured and nothing was taken from the home, authorities said.

The fact nobody was injured or killed, including the brothers, was one silver lining Batchelor counted. Another was Jason Norfleet receiving significantly less prison time than his brothers. Willie Norfleet is serving 33 years in prison and Joshua Norfleet 39 years.

Batchelor encouraged Jason Norfleet to be a model inmate in order to be returned to his family as soon as possible. Guinn previously said he could be eligible for judicial release after six months in prison.

Batchelor said it was his perception that Jason Norfleet was the voice of reason among the brothers and he was sure he regretted what happened. However, Batchelor said for whatever reason Jason Norfleet’s “voice wasn’t spoken that night or wasn’t heard.”

Jason Norfleet apologized to his family and the victims of the incident, who were not present in court, for his role in the crime.

“I’m sorry this took place,” he said. “I’m sorry all this happened, and I apologize.”

Jason Norfleet also will be subject to five years of post-release control when released from prison. He was reprimanded to the custody of the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office until he can be transferred to prison.